§ 59. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed unanimously by the Limerick Board of Guardians at their meeting on the 17th May, expressing their opinion that on the Committee of Inquiry appointed to investigate into the matters in connection with the late attempt to establish an Irish Republic it should not alone have included in its personnel some member possessing the confidence of the majority of the Irish people, but that the scope of its authority should be widened so as to enable it to investigate the treatment meted out to Irish men and women by the military authorities both during the rebellion and since the establishment of martial law, and that it should deal with the Irish question 2082 for some years past; and, if so, will he say whether he has taken any action in the matter to meet their wishes?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part of the question, I certainly do not think that these matters can properly be inquired into by Lord Hardinge's Commission.
64. Mr. HAZLETONasked the Prime Minister whether the terms of reference of the Royal Commission presided over by Lord Hardinge empower the Commissioners to hold part of their inquiry in secret; whether an assurance was given before the appointment of the Commission that its proceedings would be held in public; and whether, in view of the fact that the Press and public are being excluded from important parts of the proceedings, he will amend the terms of reference of this Royal Commission so as to ensure that no further part of its proceedings will be held behind closed doors?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir; the Commission has absolute discretion as to whether its sittings should be held in public or in private, and I do not intend to interfere with this discretion.